AirHogs Hang on against Wingnuts
July 3, 2012 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
GRAND PRAIRIE, TX- The Wichita Wingnuts (31-12) lost 5-4 to the Grand Prairie AirHogs (31-13) at QuikTrip Park on Tuesday night.
Former Wingnuts' closer Justin Dowdy nailed down a four-out save to prevent Wichita from overcoming a late, four-run deficit.
Trailing 5-1 in the top of the eighth, Ryan Khoury walked, took second when Sean Smith was hit by a pitch. John Rodriguez singled off the body of AirHogs' reliever Griffin Bailey to load the bases. David Peralta sliced the lead to 5-3 with a ground rule double to right-center field. With second and third and no outs, Bailey was relieved by Jakob Cunningham. Jared McDonald drove in Rodriguez with a sacrifice fly that made it 5-4 and pushed Peralta as the tying run to third base. Cunningham then retired Blake Bergeron on a foul popup that was caught by a reaching Chris McMurray. Dowdy relieved Cunningham and struck out Taylor Freeman to end the inning.
With two outs and no one on base in the ninth, Khoury singled down the left field line and went to second when Smith was again hit by a pitch. Dowdy retired Rodriguez on a sharp groundball to second to finish the game.
Grand Prairie took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. With second and third and two outs, Wingnuts' starter Derek Blacksher was charged with a wild pitch that scored Trent Lockwood from third base.
Wichita tied it in the top of the sixth. Khoury singled leading off and was sacrificed to second by Smith. Rodriguez ripped a groundball single through the right side to bring in Khoury with the tying run.
Grand Prairie went back in front in the bottom of the inning. With the bases empty and two outs, Blacksher made an errant throw to first on Bryan Frichter's bunt to the left side of the mound. Bryan Myrow then hit an inside the park home run on a 3-0 count to give Grand Prairie a 3-1 lead.
David Thomas lined a two-out, two-run homer to right-center in the bottom of the seventh to extend the lead to 5-1.
Blacksher took the loss, allowing five runs, three earned, on five hits in six and two-thirds innings. Blacksher walked two and struck out four. Nick Walters and Andrew Aizenstad combined for one and one-third scoreless relief innings.
Derrick Miramontes earned the win in relief for Grand Prairie.
Ramon Garcia started for the AirHogs and took a no-decision with five shutout innings. Garcia allowed three hits, walked none, and struck out three.
All five of Grand Prairie's runs were scored with two outs. Bergeron was 3 for 4 in his professional debut, including a double.
The Wingnuts and AirHogs continue their series on Wednesday night at 6:05 p.m. Ryan Hinson goes to the mound for the Wingnuts. Grand Prairie starts right-hander John Brownell. All the action can be heard locally on Oldies 92.7 KWME and worldwide at www.pressboxproductionsradio.com
The Wingnuts return home on Wednesday, July 11th when they host the Kansas City T-Bones. Individual tickets can be purchased by calling (316) 755-SEAT, or by visiting www.selectaseat.com
For season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
American Association Stories from July 3, 2012
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- Fish Falter in the Ninth - Winnipeg Goldeyes
- RailCats Fall in 10th as Streak Hits Seven - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- AirHogs Jump out Early, Hold on Late - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- AirHogs Hang on against Wingnuts - Wichita Wingnuts
- Wingnuts Add Former NBC World Series MVP - Wichita Wingnuts
- Day Picked up by Astros - Grand Prairie AirHogs
- Goldeyes Welcome Back de Caster, Move Martinez - Winnipeg Goldeyes
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